“In the first fill quarter after this boycott was announced, our sales and our earrings—shall we say politely—were a bit disappointing,” he said.

This comment fired up Schultz who replied that the decision to back marriage equality was not for economic reason, but for "respecting diversity." He also added that the company had delivered a healthy return last year, boycott or no, and stated to the shareholder:

“If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38 percent you got last year, it’s a free country. You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much.”

Schultz's statements were received with a loud applause from the audience.